Despite vs although: what is the difference?
Both words do one job: they introduce a fact that makes the rest of the sentence surprising. The difference is purely grammatical. Although is a conjunction, so a full clause (a subject and a verb) follows it. Despite is a preposition, so a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form follows it. Ask one question: is the next part a clause or a noun?
The concession words at a glance
| Word | Type | What follows | Example (city cable cars) |
|---|---|---|---|
| although | conjunction | subject + verb | Although the cable car is slow, it never gets stuck in traffic. |
| though | conjunction (also an adverb at the end) | subject + verb | Though the cabins are small, they carry thousands of people a day. |
| even though | conjunction, stronger | subject + verb | Even though the fare doubled, ridership kept rising. |
| despite | preposition | noun, pronoun or -ing | Despite the high fare, ridership kept rising. |
| in spite of | preposition (three words) | noun, pronoun or -ing | In spite of the wind, the line stayed open. |
Although the cable car cost moreclause than a bus route, the hillside districts finally got a direct link. Despite its higher costnoun phrase, the cable car gave the hillside districts a direct link.
- → To switch from although to despite, turn the verb into a noun: 'cost more' becomes 'its higher cost'.
How to use despite and in spite of
Three safe patterns
- 1
Despite + noun. Despite the steep slope, the cabins climb smoothly. No 'of' after despite; in spite of always keeps it.
- 2
Despite + -ing. Despite carrying fewer people than a tram, the line is popular. The -ing action belongs to the subject of the main clause (the line).
- 3
Despite the fact that + clause. Despite the fact that the line is short, it saves commuters twenty minutes. Correct, but although does the same job in one word.
Although vs though vs even though
All three take a clause. Although is the neutral choice for an essay. Though means the same and sounds a little lighter, so it suits speaking. Even though adds emphasis: the contrast is stronger or more surprising.
Only though can also sit at the end of a sentence as an adverb, meaning 'however': 'The hide was freezing. I stayed until noon, though.' Although and even though cannot end a sentence. Do not confuse even though (a real fact) with even if (a condition that may not happen).
I started birdwatching last spring, although I'd never owned binoculars beforeclause. Even though most mornings I see nothing rarestronger contrast, I find it calming. It means some very early starts, though.end adverb
- → Three concession structures, each in a different position: range you can say without planning.
Despite vs although errors that cost grammar marks
A concession sentence is a complex structure, so every slip in one is a sentence that is no longer error-free. These are the commonest slips.
✗ Despite of the cost, the city built the line.
✓ Despite the cost, the city built the line.
'Despite of' mixes two forms. Use despite alone, or in spite of.
✗ Although the cabins are small, but they are comfortable.
✓ Although the cabins are small, they are comfortable.
Although already links the clauses. Adding but gives one contrast two linkers. Keep one.
✗ Despite the line was cheap, few people used it.
✓ Although the line was cheap, few people used it.
A clause follows, so you need a conjunction. Or keep despite and use a noun: 'Despite its low cost'.
✗ Although the fog, the cable car kept running.
✓ Despite the fog, the cable car kept running.
'The fog' has no verb, so it needs a preposition.
✗ Although the line is new, however it often breaks down.
✓ Although the line is new, it often breaks down.
However is a second linker doing the same job. Delete it, or write two sentences: 'The line is new. However, it often breaks down.'
✗ The fare is high. Although many tourists use it.
✓ The fare is high, although many tourists use it.
An although clause is not a sentence on its own. Join it to a main clause.
For how contrast fits among the other structure families band 7 expects, see IELTS grammatical range and accuracy band 7. For linking words beyond the sentence, see coherence and cohesion.
Using despite and although in IELTS writing and speaking
In Task 2, concession is how you show a balanced view: you admit the other side, then state your point. Put the conceded fact in the although clause and your opinion in the main clause, because the main clause carries the weight.
Although cable cars cannot match the capacity of a metroconcession, they are a sensible choice for hillside districtsyour view, where roads are narrow and tunnels would cost far more.
- → Swap the clauses and the position flips: keep your view in the main clause.
In speaking, nobody expects 'despite the fact that'. Though at the end of an answer and even though before a reason sound natural. If 'despite he' or 'although... but' slips out, correct it briefly and move on. Practise on IELTS cue cards, and see concession in context in Task 2 samples.
BandLadder AI's writing and speaking results give a band for each criterion with feedback, so you can see whether slips like these are holding back your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
Your turn: despite or although?
Choose the one correct option. Look at what follows the gap first: a noun or a clause?
- ___ the strong wind, the cable car kept running.
- A. Although
- B. Despite
- C. Even though
- D. In spite
Show answer
Despite
'The strong wind' is a noun phrase. In spite would need 'of'.
- ___ the cabins are small, each one carries ten passengers.
- A. Despite
- B. In spite of
- C. Although
- D. Despite of
Show answer
Although
'The cabins are small' has a subject and a verb, so it needs a conjunction.
- Which sentence is correct?
- A. Although the fares rose, but ridership kept growing.
- B. Despite the fares rose, ridership kept growing.
- C. Despite the fact that the fares rose, ridership kept growing.
- D. In spite the fares rising, ridership kept growing.
Show answer
Despite the fact that the fares rose, ridership kept growing.
'The fact that' turns the clause into a noun phrase. The others double the linker, put a clause after despite or drop 'of'.
- I went out at dawn, ___ I'd only slept for four hours.
- A. despite
- B. in spite of
- C. even though
- D. despite of
Show answer
even though
A clause follows (I'd only slept), and even though is the only conjunction offered.
- Which sentence is correct?
- A. Despite being expensive, residents welcomed the cable car.
- B. Despite being expensive, the cable car was welcomed by residents.
- C. Despite it was expensive, residents welcomed the cable car.
Show answer
Despite being expensive, the cable car was welcomed by residents.
The -ing form takes the main clause's subject, and the cable car, not the residents, was expensive. The third puts a clause after despite.
- The birds were hard to spot. I loved the morning, ___.
- A. although
- B. despite
- C. though
- D. even though
Show answer
though
Only though can end a sentence, as an adverb meaning 'however'.
BandLadder questions
Practise it now
Use the method on original BandLadder questions. Attempt them free and see your score.
Questions
FAQ
What is the difference between despite and although?+
They mean the same, but although is a conjunction followed by a clause (subject + verb), while despite is a preposition followed by a noun, pronoun or -ing form.
Is 'despite of' correct?+
No. Use 'despite' on its own or 'in spite of'. 'Despite of' is a common error that mixes the two.
Can you use although and but in the same sentence?+
Not for the same contrast: although already links the clauses. Write 'Although X, Y' or 'X, but Y'.
Is despite a conjunction or a preposition?+
A preposition, so it cannot take a subject and verb directly. Use 'despite the fact that' or switch to although.
What is the difference between although, though and even though?+
All three take a clause. Though is slightly lighter and can also end a sentence as an adverb; even though makes the contrast stronger.
Are despite and in spite of the same?+
Yes: same meaning, same grammar. Despite never takes 'of'; in spite of always does.
Sources
- IELTS Writing Band Descriptors (updated May 2023): ielts.org, Task 2 Grammatical Range and Accuracy, band 7 (PDF page 7) and band 6 (PDF page 8)
- IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors: ielts.org, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, band 7 (PDF page 2)
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